Support : DialogLink : Online Help : SAVE ALERT

SAVE ALERT

Dialog Alert is a current awareness service, available in many databases, that allows you to have a search run online at specified frequencies. Each time the Dialog Alert profile is run, a fee is charged. For an online list of available databases and their current fees, enter HELP ALERTRATE. Individual database fees can be determined by entering HELP RATES n (where n is the file number).

An Alert continues until you RELEASE it and a fee is charged each time the alert runs. For rate information, click the file name in the Help and Information section of the Linking Pane when you are connected to the database in which you would like the Alert to run and select Rates. You can RECALL a list of your Alerts or the strategy of a specific Alert if you need a reminder of the Alerts you have stored.

In DialogLink, the SAVE ALERT command opens an Alert window that makes it easy to set up an Alert.

To create an Alert:

1. Complete the search you would like to set up as an Alert. You will be able to select the file(s) in which you want your Alert to run, but it’s a good idea to carry out the search in the desired file(s) in order to see how much results output your Alert is likely to generate.
   
   
2. Enter a SAVE ALERT command while you are still logged in to Dialog. You can either type the command in the Type-Ahead buffer, or click a set in the Set Links section of the Linking Pane and select Save Alert from the Tasks menu. The Alert window opens.

3. Enter a name for the Alert in the Name text box. If you included a name in the SAVE ALERT command, the name is pre-entered in the Name box when the Alert window opens. An Alert name can be up to thirty alphanumeric characters.
   
   
4. If you track charges by project, department or individual, enter a subaccount in the Subaccount text box.
   
   
5. The File List box displays the names of currently open file(s). If you do not want your Alert to run in one or more of the listed files, select the file(s) and click Delete Files. If you want the Alert to run in file(s) not listed, click Add Files. In the Add File pop-up box, enter the file number(s) of the desired files, separated by commas and click OK.
   
   
6. Select when you want your Alert to run in the Scheduling section of the Alert window:
   
• Select the Based on the Alert Update Frequency radio button if you do not want to set a specific day and time for the Alert to run. A default frequency is set which can be viewed and changed by clicking the Edit Schedule button. Edit Schedule opens an Alert By Update window where you can select an Alert frequency for each file in which the Alert will run. You can set a different Alert frequency for each file if you wish. Click Done when you have completed your selections.

• Select the Based on a custom schedule radio button if you would like the Alert to run on a specific day and time. This is particularly useful if your Alert will run in more than one file as it allows you to coordinate review of your results output.
  
  When you click the custom schedule radio button, the Alert By Calendar window opens and you can select frequency, day and time. Click Done to close the Alert By Calendar window when you have made your selections.

You can consult the Bluesheet to find the update frequency for a file. Click the file name in the Help and Information section of the Linking Pane, select Bluesheet and then click the link to the Rates section of the Bluesheet.

If you want to change the Alert schedule you set, click the Edit Schedule button to open the Alert by Update window (associated with the Based on the alert update frequency schedule option) or the Alert by Calendar window (associated with the Based on a custom schedule option).

7. Click the checkbox beside Remove duplicates across databases and against past deliveries if you would like duplicate documents removed. Duplicates detection identifies duplicates within the current Alert output and between current and previous Alerts outputs going back through up to 12 months.
   
   
8. Click the checkbox beside Notify me even if no new documents are found if you would like to receive notification when your Alert runs but produces no result. This is a useful way to confirm that the absence of Alert output is because there was no new information rather than because the Alert did not run.
   
   
9. Review the search commands in the Commands box and modify if desired. Be sure to remove commands that are not appropriate to a regularly running Alert, such as limitations by date range.
   
   
10. Add a PRINT command if one is not already present in your strategy. If a PRINT command is not included, no output will be generated. Append ADDRESS and an address name to the PRINT command to specify delivery instructions for your Alert if you do not want the Alert results output delivered to the default mailing address associated with your Dialog user number. Example: PRINT S3/3/ALL ADDRESS ELJONES.
    
    To view available address names, click the List Address button. A list of address names displays in an Address List window. Use the Windows Copy (Cntl+C) and Paste (Cntl+V) commands to copy an address name into the PRINT command.
    
    To create a new email or postal address and recipient name, click the Create Address button. Create Address opens the Address window where you can enter a name and provide the necessary email address or postal address information for delivery. When you click Save, the address is stored and also added by name to the end of your PRINT command. (Don’t forget to include ADDRESS before the address name).

    To edit an address, close the Alert window and use the EDIT ADDRESS command.
    
    

11. Click Save to create the Alert.
    

To display a list of your Alerts

Use the RECALL ALERT command to display a list of names of active Alerts. Use the command followed by the name of a specific Alert to display the search strategy and other Alert details.

To delete an Alert

Use the RELEASE ALERT command followed by the Alert name to delete an alert.

To edit an Alert

In DialogLink you can use the EDIT command to modify and re-save an Alert strategy or to use one Alert to create another with similar strategy. When you enter EDIT or EDIT ALERT followed by the Alert name in DialogLink, the command opens the Alert window where you can make and Save changes. If you rename the Alert, it is stored as a new Alert.

(Tips and Cautions for Using SAVE) 

top